How Pit Bulls Got Singled Out as Dangerous Dogs

You've probably heard nightmarish stories about Pit bulls and their supposedly dangerous natures. You may even have friends who own dogs but still believe that Pit bulls are unsafe and to be avoided. As animal lovers, we know by now that Pit bulls are not "killer dogs," or monsters more dangerous than any other breed. But it's frustrating to see so much misinformation persist. How did Pit bulls go from being a trusted breed years ago to one that is hated, vilified and feared today?

Of course, there's no hard evidence to support the idea that Pit bulls are naturally more aggressive or dangerous than other breeds. Myths about their super-powerful bite force and dangerous "locking jaws" are likewise utterly fabricated. Pit bulls don't even have jaw strength as powerful as other breeds like Mastiffs, whose jaws clamp down with much greater force, but somehow haven't cursed them with an image as killer dogs. The real facts show that Pit bulls are actually docile compared to other dogs. A study of dog breeds was conducted to gauge temperament by measuring skittishness, aggression and ability to differentiate between threatening and non-threatening humans. The results showed what Pit bull lovers of the past knew: the "nanny breed" was among the friendliest and least aggressive. Aggressive Pit bulls are almost always the products of abuse, neglect or both. It is irresponsible breeders and owners who are to blame for the breed's negative image.

But the Alternet article points out that the media's ongoing willingness to sell out Pit bulls doesn't help matters. News outlets are quick to support the belief that Pit bulls are dangerous, because it allows for sensationalized stories, stories that won't go over if their audiences don't believe the misleading "facts" on which they are based. In a way, since the Pit bull's negative reputation is essentially an invention, it exists as a cultural meme, a persistent urban legend. Other breeds have trended similarly in the past. Rottweilers and Doberman Pinschers to some degree still deal with this. In the 19th century, it was Bloodhounds who were considered inherently dangerous. If that seems absurd to us now, it's because the idea then was based on the same lies that haunt Pit bulls today. It's gotten so bad that when dog attacks happen, the media will often identify the breed as a Pit bull even when it's not the case. And when Pit bulls do attack, it is often much more widely reported than similar attacks caused by other breeds.

Pit bulls' bad reputation has been so deeply ingrained in our culture that a kind of racism has developed against them. Mistrust leads to suspicious attention, which leads to the breed being implicated in more negative activity than other breeds, which worsens and perpetuates the breed's reputation. Governments and lawmakers, by creating absurd breed-specific bans, only serve to cement misinformed and bigoted beliefs. Even popular entertainers like Kelly Ripa are taken in by the media's portrayal of Pit bulls as bloodthirsty attack dogs, and in turn worsen the problem by perpetuating the stereotype.

But there's always hope, and increasingly, a growing backlash against Pit bull bigotry has more and more people learning that Pit bulls are perfectly safe and even very loving, loyal dogs. As Cesar Millan of "The Dog Whisperer" has grown famous for his canine expertise, his love of and support for Pit bulls has gone a long way to convincing a general audience that the breed's negative image is completely undeserved. Other popular shows like Shorty Rossi's "Pit Boss" add to the wave of positive Pit bull PR. And for every person who adopts a Pit bull and learns of its true nature, an entire network of family and friends in turn learns the truth. It's up to each of us to spread the real facts about Pit bulls.

I am sick to death of people profiling these loving kind dogs, I have a blue pit named Kona she was 8 months old when I took her away from the people that had her. I have grand mall seizures and she has saved my life so many times that I cannot remember. She plays with small dogs and big ones and has never even growled at anyone. So just like guns it's the people that own them not the dog's! More people have been attacked by small breeds then pits.

Pit have been around for 150 years had a rep.As the best family dog also caled nanny dogs because the are great with little kids.Bad people in the 1980's trained them wrong .Please do real resurce .Dog temperment usa test pitbull as number 1.Jaw power test bull mas.moust powerfull 2 rottwilers 3 sheperds 4 chows 5 pit bulls.New movie behoynd the myth.give some good data.

I have had 2 pitbulls, and they were the kindest, most loyal dogs I ever had. I sti have one and shes so sweet and ppl friendly. They are MISUNDETSTOOD and have been lied about by the news, media, social networks, papers, internet etc. Pitbulls are good loving dogs. How a owner treats their dog reflects on their personality just likehumans. If we are treated poorly we can become bitter and mean. Same for them! Get to know them before you judge their kind!

Pit bulls are different because they have a jaw that locks and they kill and injure much quicker. They are a dangerous breed that should be controlled as they are responsible for most dog killings of both other animals and humans in the U.S. Those who want to pretend that pit bulls are just misunderstood are not dealing with reality. It is offensive to all those who have been killed or seriously injured by pit bulls.

pit bulls not as dangerous as they seems to be and for your kind information i know one breed that can kill pit bull in just seconds and that breed name is (TIBETIAN MASTIFF)if you dont believe then browse on google you will find the answer.

There is a lot of anecdotal evidence that pit bulls kills - but WHO is to blame? Any dog can be trained to attack can kill, and pit bulls have been chosen because they are so powerful. But if they are not owned by buffoons, they are loyal, intelligent animals.